Mystery shopping jobs are everywhere! But, they often get lumped in with other work at home jobs even though it isn't technically work at home. This is probably because the work is flexible and independent. This is typical of many work at home jobs overall.
Still, you may find that you don't really have time to go out and mystery shop no matter how flexible the hours are. Or perhaps the only locations available are miles away. The answer to this problem is may be working as a telephone mystery shopper!
What is the best thing about being a telephone mystery shopper?
You don't have to worry about background noise! Yay! There are so many of you that can't do the phone work because you have small children at home and can't guarantee no background noise. When you're doing phone mystery shopping, background noise is fine because the companies you're calling have no idea you're anything other than someone interested in what they sell.
So who will hire you for telephone mystery shopping?
Here are some companies to consider:
#1 – Yardi-Matrix – Read Review – This company used to be known as Pierce-Eislen. They hire about three times per year. You call apartment complexes and pose as a renter in order to collect data. They call these “rent surveys” and the work is temporary/seasonal.
#2 – Perception Strategies – Read Review – You can work for this company calling doctor's office to gather information. The pay is $12 to $17 per call, and they also have in-person shops.
#3 – Telexpertise – Read Review – Pay is $3 and $10 per completed phone shop. The places you call will vary, and the work flow might be slim to start with but can build up over time as you continue to work for them.
#4 – InteliChek – Read Review – Intelichek is another popular phone mystery shopping company. For the most part they have good reviews although there are some who don't enjoy the work.
#5 – ARC Consulting – Read Review – ARC is sometimes open to phone mystery shoppers. This company has good feedback although the work is generally not enough to depend on for your full time income.
Will you earn a full-time income as a telephone mystery shopper?
I would recommend viewing it as extra money to start because the work flow might not always be consistent.
The companies listed above are the ones I am most familiar with, but I know there are other companies that also have phone shops available. If you're registered with any other places for mystery shopping outside the home, check to see if they have phone shops too. Many, many companies offer both kinds of shops.
Want to learn a lot more about mystery shopping in general?
The Mystery Shopper's Manual is one of the highest rated books on Amazon that teaches people how the industry works. The fact is, many people are getting paid to go to the movies, eat at restaurants, shop at stores and more. This book teaches you how to start, what to say in your reports, how to avoid the scams, and also how to maximize your pay and reimbursements.
You can go here to learn more about The Mystery Shopper's Manual, read the reviews, and decide if you would benefit from downloading it.
Good Afternoon, is it possible to work as a telephone mystery shopper from Africa??
Hi, I’m not sure if all of these companies are open to Africa, but you can apply and see if you would qualify. Good luck!
Shopper’s View does a lot of phone shops. I’ve done about 10 with them so far, and they’ve paid $2 each. I even ran across a few $5 phone shops. They pay with paypal and it’s one of the few mystery shopping companies that don’t require your social security number to be paid. They are verified with MSPA, too.
Thanks for letting me know! I’ll probably write about them soon!
Hi Anna,
Shoppers Critique is a mystery shopping company that offers a large amount of phone shops. They appear to always have jobs available. You do have to follow the clients’ directions exactly or your shop will be rejected.
Thanks Kim, I will check them out!
Another one to add to the list is ARC Consulting. I’m starting with them on Monday doing my first seven phone mystery shopping calls. I know someone who works for them, so it comes recommended. It’s a small company and there’s not a ton of work to make a full-time income, but it’s a good way to get into the business and learn it and make a little money. Don’t be dismayed if you don’t hear back for a few months or longer because she hires as needed. Visit here: http://arllc.com. I will definitely be checking out the ones listed in the article above. Ironically, based on a tip from a friend, I was just reading up on the rent survey one again today. I’d looked into it in December, but didn’t go through with it then, but I may now.
Thanks Victoria! I will bookmark ARC Consulting and maybe do a review on it later when I can find some info.